Waikato Regional Council (WRC) has publicly committed to reducing its carbon footprint and to working with others to plan for the introduction of climate change legislation.

The council is a Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme (CEMARS) organisation – the first regional council, and one of only five councils in New Zealand, to receive certification.

According to WRC chief executive Vaughan Payne, the council worked hard to measure its carbon footprint. This information, he said, enabled them to start making informed choices about the actions needed to reduce emissions as an organisation.

“Reducing our carbon footprint comes with extra benefits – it delivers cost savings and is important to our staff and communities who expect us to do the right thing when it comes to our environment, the economy and community wellbeing,” he said.

The council is also developing its own climate change response roadmap to help inform community discussions about the issues and opportunities that a low-emissions future will bring. It will include opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, many of which focus on land use changes that will also help improve water quality.

Payne noted Waikato people have a stake in any proposed climate change legislation as they are particularly tuned in to the impacts of climate change, having to deal with river and coastal flooding and droughts.

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